By: Bettencourt S.B. No. 2069

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the required posting of signs regarding human trafficking penalties by certain schools.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Sections 37.086(a), (b), and (c), Education Code, are amended to read as follows:

(a) In this section, "school"[:

[(1) "Premises" has the meaning assigned by Section 481.134, Health and Safety Code.

[(2) "School"] means a public [or private] primary or secondary school.

(b) Each public school shall post warning signs of the increased penalties for trafficking of persons under Section 20A.02(b-1)(2), Penal Code, in a [at the following locations:

[(1) parallel to and along the exterior boundaries of the school's premises;

[(2) at each roadway or other way of access to the premises;

[(3) for premises not fenced, at least every five hundred feet along the exterior boundaries of the premises;

[(4) at each entrance to the premises; and

[(5) at] conspicuous place [places] reasonably likely to be viewed by all school employees and visitors [persons entering the premises].

(c) The agency, in consultation with the human trafficking prevention task force created under Section 402.035, Government Code, shall adopt rules regarding the [placement, installation, design, size,] wording[, and maintenance procedures] for the warning signs required under this section and requiring[. The rules must require] that each warning sign:

(1) include a description of the provisions of Section 20A.02(b-1), Penal Code, including the penalties for violating that section;

(2) be written in English and Spanish; and

(3) be at least 8-1/2 by 11 inches in size.

SECTION 2. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this Act takes effect September 1, 2023.